Easier time putting on the trailer

[jimmbo]

If the concrete extends far enough, no problem, but if it a mud bottom it can cause some problem, but then again some people just plain back in too far, and if they didn't there wouldn't be a problem...
I have seen Morons back in so far that the Winch handle is have under water, and of course the Boat can't be on the trailer but they will attach the Line, and then drive out resulting with the Boat hanging over the side of the Trailer. They will repeatedly do this several times, never understanding why the boat refuses to be on the trailer...
Boat Ramps, better than Yuk Yuks...

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Boat Ramps, better than Yuk Yuks...

When I didn't have a boat, used to bring a cooler, kids and wife down to sit on the seawall and watch the fun and games. Good cheap Sunday afternoon entertainment

 

[roscoe]

There are many hundreds of ramps across the country, that were built 75+ years ago, when the typical boat was 12’ to 15’ in length.

Place a modern 20’ to 24’ boat on one of these ramps, and the prop is 8’ off the end of the ramp where power loading will wash it out, and deposit a mud barrier behind the ramp.

 

[briangcc]

Then you need a bigger/ better winch !! If the bunks are not adjustable, then make them adjustable. If you like getting wet, go for it....but, when I say get your trailer set up, that means do what is necessary to make it work correctly. I have replaced many factory items on trailers to make them work the way I need them to work !!

No I don't, it works just fine as is.

IF I followed your advice, all my bunks, the entire length of them, would be out of the water and the boat wouldn't clear the rear cross member to climb up on the trailer. Physics is against you trying to pull a boat up and then onto dry bunks. A tow truck would be required to raise the whole hull.

So...again, avoid blanket statements unless you are intimately familiar with the ramp and equipment in use.

 

[JimS123]

I have a ss eye bolt on top of the fender. I pull out the winch strap and attach the hook to the eye. Then, back in. Untie the dock lines and manually pull the boat into the back of the trailer so the stem is just touching the last self-centering keel roller. Now it can't drift sideways. Step onto the non-slip pads on the top of the fender, release the hook and attach it to the bow eye. Step off the fender, walk up and crank her on.

The caveat is that I have a dock next to the launch. For dockless ramps, I would have to get my feet wet. The back of my car and winch are always on dry land.

For me on my most used ramp, I simply CANNOT back in too far. There is a dropoff at the end of the concrete pad caused by idiot power loaders. The city has chosen not to fix it.

 

[JimS123]

No I don't, it works just fine as is.

IF I followed your advice, all my bunks, the entire length of them, would be out of the water and the boat wouldn't clear the rear cross member to climb up on the trailer. Physics is against you trying to pull a boat up and then onto dry bunks. A tow truck would be required to raise the whole hull.

So...again, avoid blanket statements unless you are intimately familiar with the ramp and equipment in use.

Put EZSlides on the bunks. You won't believe how much better they work vs. even if the bunks are wet.

 

[aspeck]

Must be a local thing.
Can't think of a single facility that takes issue with power loading.
Pretty much the norm around here.

I have noticed that it is a local thing. I have been to a few ramps where it is strongly discouraged and others that quote it as the way to go. All of our local ramps are powerloading ramps. I load and unload solo all the time ... never get wet ... except if on a ramp I am not used to and back the trailer in too far ... different ramp angles make a huge difference!

We have one ramp that is way to steep ... that ramp I avoid like the plague!

 

[airshot]

No I don't, it works just fine as is.

IF I followed your advice, all my bunks, the entire length of them, would be out of the water and the boat wouldn't clear the rear cross member to climb up on the trailer. Physics is against you trying to pull a boat up and then onto dry bunks. A tow truck would be required to raise the whole hull.

So...again, avoid blanket statements unless you are intimately familiar with the ramp and equipment in use.

If you entire bunks are out of the water then your not backed in far enough, or you have an awfull shallow ramp. I have some of those in my area. I don't use them because of that. You can do whatever you want, not telling you or anyone what to do. But if your having problems loading a boat, there ARE things that can be done to make the job easier !! IF you want to make loading easier, it can be done, but some prefer to do it the hard way, your choice.

 

[airshot]

I have a ss eye bolt on top of the fender. I pull out the winch strap and attach the hook to the eye. Then, back in. Untie the dock lines and manually pull the boat into the back of the trailer so the stem is just touching the last self-centering keel roller. Now it can't drift sideways. Step onto the non-slip pads on the top of the fender, release the hook and attach it to the bow eye. Step off the fender, walk up and crank her on.

The caveat is that I have a dock next to the launch. For dockless ramps, I would have to get my feet wet. The back of my car and winch are always on dry land.

For me on my most used ramp, I simply CANNOT back in too far. There is a dropoff at the end of the concrete pad caused by idiot power loaders. The city has chosen not to fix it.

Yes...many power loaders are idiots !! Can't deny that, but then again, many ramps have not been designed for power loading. I have numerous ramps around me, some are good, some are poor, some just have way to many idiots using them. Yes, I go out of my way to use a small ramp out of the way. I drive an extra 15-20 minutes because the ramp is well designed, but a long canal ride to the lake so many choose to go elsewhere. In my much younger days, I put up with idiots and poor ramps, but...nowadays, I choose the easier less used ramps that make it easy for me.

 

[jimmbo]

Before I launch at an unfamiliar Ramp, or one I haven't used in a while, I will watch a few others launch, just to see if any Gremlins are lurking. If there is a Drop off, I will then decide if I will take a Chance of not backing in too deep, usually not, as it is a real pain to get the Trailer back on the Ramp, usually needing several Guys with Strong Backs and Weak Minds to lift the Unloaded Trailer high enough, which then leaves the problem of getting the Boat back on

 

[jimmbo]

Personally I prefer Roller Trailers, with Lots of Rollers, over Bunks any day. With my old Roller EZLoader, if the boat could be floated to the Trailer, the Tires of the Trailer barely need to be in the water, and the boat could be winched on.

 

[roscoe]

Before I launch at an unfamiliar Ramp, or one I haven't used in a while, I will watch a few others launch, just to see if any Gremlins are lurking. If there is a Drop off, I will then decide if I will take a Chance of not backing in too deep, usually not, as it is a real pain to get the Trailer back on the Ramp, usually needing several Guys with Strong Backs and Weak Minds to lift the Unloaded Trailer high enough, which then leaves the problem of getting the Boat back on

I welded up some skid plates and installed them in front of the trailer tires.
They extend down below the axle.
If there is a hole or drop off, the trailer slides back up onto the ramp.

They came into use last month when I used the ramp at Chequamegon waters flowage.

 

[jimmbo]

I welded up some skid plates and installed them in front of the trailer tires.
They extend down below the axle.
If there is a hole or drop off, the trailer slides back up onto the ramp.

They came into use last month when I used the ramp at Chequamegon waters flowage.

Any Pics of them?

 

[roscoe]

Sure. But at home on the computer.
Tomorrow.

 

[KJM]

I welded up some skid plates and installed them in front of the trailer tires.
They extend down below the axle.
If there is a hole or drop off, the trailer slides back up onto the ramp.

They came into use last month when I used the ramp at Chequamegon waters flowage.

Thats a really good idea!

 

[KJM]

Is there any advantage to bunks over rollers? My trailer has rollers and loading is very simple. I don't see why anyone would choose bunks over rollers.

 

[jimmbo]

Is there any advantage to bunks over rollers? My trailer has rollers and loading is very simple. I don't see why anyone would choose bunks over rollers.

Weight of the Boat is spread over a larger Area. Not really issue if there are many rollers, but in most cases there aren't enough in my opinion.
Cost is another factor, a couple of Slats of Wood and Carpet are a lot cheaper than all the Hardware needed for Rollers.
Boats tend to sit lower on Bunks than Rollers, which help lower wind resistance when being towed, and supposedly makes it easier to load.

 

[BWR1953]

Is there any advantage to bunks over rollers? My trailer has rollers and loading is very simple. I don't see why anyone would choose bunks over rollers.

For an aluminum boat, rollers can put little dents in the bottom of the hull over time, so bunks are preferred.

 

[JimS123]

I have numerous ramps around me, some are good, some are poor, some just have way to many idiots using them. Yes, I go out of my way to use a small ramp out of the way. I drive an extra 15-20 minutes because the ramp is well designed, but a long canal ride to the lake so many choose to go elsewhere. In my much younger days, I put up with idiots and poor ramps, but...nowadays, I choose the easier less used ramps that make it easy for me.

Wow, sounds like me. My awesome ramp is 6 miles up the Erie Canal. I love boat rides, so it is a pleasure, not a problem.

 

[JimS123]

For an aluminum boat, rollers can put little dents in the bottom of the hull over time, so bunks are preferred.

Maybe. My last tinny had dozens of rollers on the bunks, plus 4 self-centering keel rollers. No dents and the best solo launching boat I ever owned.